Tag Archives: Advice

I’m an excellent juggler. I work full-time, have three extremely active children, I read constantly, enjoy cooking well-balanced meals and baking fun treats, work out religiously and write at least one book a year. I truly believe that we make time for what’s important. Do I ignore my children some days so I can meet a writing deadline? Oh yeah. But their schedule comes first. I try to make every game and only miss one if there is a scheduling conflict with one of the other kiddos. Probably the most neglected aspect of my life is alone time with my husband. We haven’t been on a date in over a year. And that was a day I called in sick so we could shop for a dishwasher. Right now the kids rule our lives, as it should be. Our time with them is limited so we try to be as involved as possible. In my book, that’s an accomplishment.

What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

Don’t. Stop. Ever. You’ve sent out fifteen plus query letters and haven’t heard back from anyone. Or you’ve received rejection after rejection. It sucks. There’s no sugar-coating that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you question your talent and skill as a writer. When you question the hours upon hours you’ve spent glued to your computer crafting your precious baby, and then to receive a generic note saying your book isn’t for them.

That’s okay. Keep writing. Because when, not if, you get published, things happen so fast you won’t have time to read for pleasure or make dinner for your family. And then your readers are going to want more, more, MORE. You’ll need books ready to send to the publisher who recognized your book for its value. And if you have built up the courage and done your research and gone indie, your readers are still going to want more, more, MORE.
So don’t stop writing. Thankfully I took my own advice. I wrote faithfully for eight years and have seven books under my belt. I have three books coming out in a four month time span. And to think, three months ago I received four rejections and one contract.

If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?

Chris Hemsworth’s bright blue eyes, bulging biceps and six-pack abs make him the perfect model for Connor McKay, the retired NFL player in False Start. I have a Pinterest board littered with pictures of him *sigh* He is a beautiful man.

Meg Fulton is classy, but reserved—you’ll have to read the book to find out why—when it comes to men. She uses a sharp wardrobe to cover up her insecurities. I picture Teri Hatcher from her Desperate Housewives days. So beautiful and poised, but when she’s angry or bound and determined, watch out!

What is your least favorite part of the publishing process?

As a newbie, I feel like I’m on a constant “Look at me! Buy my book!” campaign. I’m lurking on Facebook and Twitter, following more writers and readers and asking for friends. Self-promotion is weird, especially when no one has read your books yet and you don’t have a following. I’m hoping marketing book two, False Hope, that comes out in April will be a little less…awkward.

Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others?

Definitely the love scenes, although they are getting much easier to write now that I don’t have toddlers climbing all over me. I’m more than halfway through my eighth book and I’m finding my love scenes are becoming more descriptive.

Do you drink?

Religiously. Kidding. Having three kids in the house makes me want to drink, but I limit it to social drinking…and then I make up for my long dry spells. Pinnacle vodka is my weakness. I love to create new drink recipes!

What secret talents do you have?

I wish I had super powers or had x-ray vision (although I don’t need it to visualize Chris Hemsworth naked). But sorry, this is going to be a boring answer. I love to cook and bake and decorate cakes in my “spare time”. I’ve done a few wedding cakes, baby showers and special occasion cakes for others, but I really enjoy baking and decorating for friends and family. There’s nothing like seeing their expressions when I give them my masterpiece. It’s very rewarding.

What were you like as a child?

As the neglected middle child, I took on a lot of responsibility raising my younger twin sisters after my parents got divorced. I acted as their mother (I’m only three and a half years older than them). I’ve always been the responsible one. The planner. The organizer. The peacekeeper. Those qualities in me haven’t changed.

I was, however, extremely shy. I had social anxiety disorder—which my Teenage Princess had at a younger age as well. You’d never know it today. I’ve done multiple presentations for work in front of hundreds of people and love it. I don’t remember any pivotal moment in my life when I changed from being an extreme introvert to a very comfortable extrovert, but here I am!

Do you ever write naked?

Who wants to know? Chris Hemsworth? No, I do not write naked (are there people who do?) but you asked, so you’re getting a TMI answer…I do, however, love to whip off the bra when I get home from my day job and write in my sweatpants and baggy shirt. It’s freeing, you know?

And as a reward for sticking with my ho-hum life, here’s a snippet from the first page of False Start:

Asks Authors

“We need to talk.”

Startled by the deep growl, Meg Fulton looked up to the towering stack of testosterone filling her office doorway and cursed the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach.

She straightened her posture, ran her hand through her thick hair in an attempt to put all the strays back in place, and then reached for the lapels of the suit coat that wasn’t there. She felt vulnerable in her silk tank top and wished she had an extra layer to shield her from the menacing daggers targeted at her. Putting on the jacket would only make a spectacle of herself. The thin tank would have to do.

“Sure. Have a seat.” She crossed her legs and attempted to smile. Inwardly, Meg groaned. Connor McKay. She’d noticed him on the football field coaching his athletes and had not looked forward to the expected confrontation.

He remained in the doorway, making no move toward the empty seats across from her desk. His blond hair was short, barely longer than the scruff on his face, and as she looked up she saw his eyes—a fierce, fiery blue filled with accusation and something that ranged between confusion and lust.

Don’t shout. All caps, and loads of exclamation marks are not only jarring in the written word; they are equally disturbing in the bedroom. “OH, FUCK, YES!!!!!!!! SPANK MY ASS, DADDY!!!!!” Even if he doesn’t mind being called daddy, this is gonna kill the mood.

The Overly Dirty Talker at The Frisky (Photo credit: rachelkramerbussel.com)

Do whisper, or strive for that just-smoked-a-pack-of-unfiltered-cigarettes-voice. “Ooooh yeah. I love the feel of your hand spanking my ass.” Better. My personal preference? Lose the daddy/daughter/son roleplay business. But, hey, to each his own. I won’t tell you how to dirty talk if you don’t tell me how to dirty talk. Oh, wait a minute…forget it.

Do ask questions. “Do you like it when I put my finger in your ass, baby?” “How does my wet pussy feel wrapped around your hard cock, stud?” This is a good conversation starter. Try it. Ya never know.

Don’t ask questions the wrong way. “What are you doing down there?” “Did you think that was my clit?” Or, “What the fuck?!”

If you know he doesn’t like your finger in his ass, or if he just likes to pretend it isn’t happening even though he does like it, don’t ask him the ass question either.

Don’t laugh while you’re talking. If it feels too weird to murmur, “Bite my nipples,” then just skip it this time. Practice alone, or with your best girlfriend. When you’ve mastered saying it with nothing more than a lascivious grin, try again. Laughter is a sure-fire ticket to Flacid Penisville.

Do giggle seductively. Big difference. You can pair this with the daddy talk, pony tails, and knee-high socks. They work well together.

Don’t rhyme.

No. Really. Don’t do it. I can’t even bring myself to give an example.

Don’t use purple prose. “You’re going to make my hidden flower bloom, my darling! Yes, cleave me fiercely with your manroot!” This could be disconcerting if not downright sickening to your lover. He’s not plowing the freakin’ fields here. Okay, maybe in a metaphorical sense, but let that shit stay in the musty coffins of seventies romance novels. Yeah, we all cut our teeth on them, but it doesn’t mean flouncey junk like that is sexy.

Do use real words. Real dirty ones. No penis or labia talk, either. It’s cock and pussy, and he is going to make you come if he keeps doing that with his tongue. Whoops, that rhymed. “Fuck” is a good one–you can’t go wrong with the most vulgar expression your dirty little imagination can come up with. Shoot for the stars. Beg for a creampie! By the way, I prefer come to cum, and if anyone has a problem with it, they can go blow.

Don’t ask your partner to do it if you aren’t willing to pony up some sordid sentences of your own. For one thing, if you ask every time you have sex, your partner might be offended and think that you don’t find him/her sexy enough. He/She will think you need the dirty talk just to get off. Trust me, if you are constantly asking, but never reciprocating, it could become a bad thing.

Do talk dirty to try to get your partner to jump in. You may find you actually enjoy it, and the person you’re with may not feel too self-conscious if you do it first. In the end, you never know what some people are comfortable with, and what turns them on or off. Experiment. If it’s not working, try something new, or, as in the case of the guy who incessantly asked for dirty talk; break up with him.